Kulasekara in search of key rhythm

In each of their recent major-tournament campaigns, Sri Lanka's greatest strength has lain in their attack. Diverse, persistent, occasionally vicious, opposition batsmen have been unsettled by unorthodoxy and discipline in equal parts. As the team prepares for its Champions Trophy opener in Cardiff, though, they will know they are light on mystique in this tournament.

Lasith Malinga's round-arm remains an oddity, but it is hardly unfamiliar now, given the amount of limited-overs cricket he plays around the world. Sachithra Senanayake also has a growing bag of slow-bowling tricks, but the two men Sri Lanka left out - Ajantha Mendis and Akila Dananjaya - are far more enigmatic. The remainder of Sri Lanka's bowling options, from nagging right-arm seamers Angelo Mathews and Thisara Perera, to Rangana Herath's left-arm orthodox, pose challenges opponents have encountered before.

And, by almost any standard, Nuwan Kulasekara is a run-of-the-mill bowler. Rarely exceeding 130kph, with a whippy action and a commitment to line, length and movement above all else, he has often been the dependable, but unremarkable cog in Sri Lanka's attack. While team-mates gambled for wickets, Kulasekara's role was to hold one end down. For a while, he was so good at it - he became the top-ranked ODI bowler in 2008.

In 2013, though, Kulasekara finds his mandate altered significantly. Now a senior in the bowling unit, he has been called on to pick up the slack where Malinga can no longer be as effective. In the years before a new ball was used at each end, Sri Lanka had built a reputation as one of the best death-bowling outfits in the world, thanks to their spearhead's ability to use reverse-swing. But a shift in the rules has brought a change in Malinga's fortunes and even he admits his figures have suffered in the last 18 months. With the ball swinging conventionally for longer, however, the new rule suits Kulasekara's game just fine.

"The rule affects different people in different ways," Kulasekara said. "I think there is more pressure on me now, to get wickets. Lasith is probably the best limited-overs bowler in the world, so if batsmen try to play him safely and attack me, I have a chance to get wickets. My strength is to swing the ball, so I'm expected to get those early breakthroughs."

In the past year, Kulasekara has added an away-seamer to his repertoire, to go with a straighter one and his stock ball, the inswinger. He had been in outstanding form in Australia early in the year, when he annihilated the Australia top order on a hot, muggy Brisbane day, taking 5 for 22, but his record in colder climes has not befit his ability. In five matches in England he only has a single victim to his name, and although he went wicketless in both Sri Lanka's warm-up matches, he remains hopeful he can be as impactful in the Champions Trophy as he has increasingly been at home.

"I haven't been getting the ball out as well as I would have liked, and I'm not at my best when it comes to rhythm. That happens from time to time. We had got slow pitches in Birmingham [in the warm-up games] - the ball didn't swing a lot. Sometimes when it is this cold, it doesn't swing as well, so I haven't been able to make the ball do what I hoped for. We have a few more practice sessions before the tournament, and I'll be working hard with Chaminda Vaas to work those issues out and get back to my top rhythm. He has a lot of experience here, so I will have a good chat to him and try to correct it."

While Kulasekara has failed to find his best in England, Sri Lanka's next-best swing bowler has prospered in the practice matches. Shaminda Eranga, who has previously impressed in England for the A team, took two wickets in each match despite not having the use of the new ball. With another right-arm seamer, Dilhara Lokuhettige, also in the squad, there is heat on Kulasekara to rediscover form quickly, but he has also enjoyed being part of a six-man pace unit on tour - an oddity for a Sri Lankan squad.

"Actually we fast bowlers get together and try to figure out a collective strategy. With the new fielding restrictions, it's not easy to bowl at the end of an innings. We all have different strengths, so we have ideas about what fields should be set and where to bowl, and we're learning from each other and the bowling coach."

Sri Lanka lost both practice matches largely due to the bowlers' indiscipline on flat Edgbaston wickets - even when the batsmen set up a massive total in the first game against India. Sri Lanka do not play any group matches in Birmingham, and Kulasekara feels the match results are not indicative of the team's chances in the tournament.

"Who wins or loses doesn't really have a big effect. It's a practice match so we're changing bowlers around, rather than sticking to a plan, and when our batsmen are going well we retire them and so on. We tried to give everyone a chance, but there will be a big shift in our approach in the actual matches. We learnt a lot from these games, but the results won't mean much."

Kulasekara has been a fixture in Sri Lanka's ODI side, and it is unlikely two poor practice matches will change that, at least as far as their opening game against New Zealand. If the swing that has eluded his fingers thus far can define his cricket again, Sri Lanka will once more feel they have an attack that can carry them far into the tournament, unorthodox or not.

I really hope, kulasekera find some form with the ball. We need those early breakthroughs from him.
My team
1.Dilshan 2.Kusal 3.Sanga 4.Chandimal 5.Mahela 6.Mathews 7. Thisara 8.kulasekera 9.Sachithra 10.Malinga 11.Eranga.
No need for Jeevan or loku. Kula and sachithra can do the same with the bat. Kula and Eranga should take the new ball and Malinga should be used in the middle and late overs. Its better if we finish Kulas 10 overs earlier on in the innings, he is not that effective in the death overs. eranga should bowl the death overs with malinga.

Sinhaya
on June 8, 2013, 5:16 GMT

@Cpt.Meanster, honestly I want all teams that is all ten test playing nations to be world beaters as that is what will make all games thrillers. I am not much of a fan of Mahela. Biggest problem with our cricket is political meddling. No shortage of talent as such. Chandimal and Kushal Perera are no doubt good on fast pitches but sadly they did not get the chance to play in the tests in Australia. It shows our think tank in cricket is pathetic.

Cpt.Meanster
on June 7, 2013, 19:34 GMT

@Sinhaya: You know what, I think I like Chandimal and Angelo Mathews too. Some of the other guys you mentioned are very talented too, no doubt. Perhaps they may go on to become as great as Mahela, Sanga and Kula. Best wishes to them and to the SL team. Besides, I am a firm believer that any team can become world beaters if they set their priorities straight.

bigbang07
on June 7, 2013, 6:47 GMT

The article focuses on Kula, but I firmly believe that the stage is set for Shaminda Eranga. Kula was outstanding in the ODI's in Australia, Malinga has been thereabouts, but Eranga needs to be first change seamer for me. Perera and Angelo can share the responsibilities of the fourth bowler, but Eranga needs to bend his back and prove his mettle. We cannot rely on restricting the opposition alone, the lads need to be at their incisive best.

Otuwa
on June 7, 2013, 6:43 GMT

@Sihina Nimnaka-Very true bro..We are the smallest country playing cricket as a test nation.And we have only 30+ test cricket history.We have achieved lot of things in this short period time.We have produced lot of mystery cricketers.We have faced lot of hard times for last 10 years.We had lost 4 world cupsand one became infront of our eyes.It's very tough to us.But we never never hate our players.We love cricket and we are with our players at everytime.

I hope English curators will make good pitches for next matches because we all know how dangerous Kula with his swinging.Good luck for our team....

GalVeddah
on June 7, 2013, 5:03 GMT

＠Cpt.Meanster: Very true. He is very hard working. Still the SL team does not stand a chance to scrape through to the semi finals. In fact the expectations are so low that we, the SL fans, will be very happy if our team win at least one match in the group stage.

asithaSL
on June 7, 2013, 4:48 GMT

Yeah..., Kule, u need to swing., swing well to give SL some hopes n u can do it..
All da best Kula n the rest of the guyz.... We have a good chance here...!!

on June 7, 2013, 3:03 GMT

This is a tuff period for small country like Sri Lanka. (maybe smallest country that playing international cricket) their fans always with them. never hate cricketers. Kula is a hard working cricketer he'll try to do his best. hope for the best....

Sinhaya
on June 7, 2013, 1:14 GMT

@Cpt.Meanster, seriously?? Kushal Perera who averages 50 in ODIs in Australia not good?? Chandimal who has an excellent average in Australia, England and SA not good?? Sachithra Senanayake who had a superb economy rate in the IPL not good?? Thisara Perera who was an asset for SRH not good?? Please buddy check a bit more before writing like that.

Cpt.Meanster
on June 6, 2013, 20:39 GMT

The one and ONLY KULA !! A small piece of glorious Sri Lankan past left in this otherwise average team. I am sure Kula will love the English conditions. A hard working cricketer. Even though I am an Indian fan, I used to enjoy Kulasekera bowl. Take away Sanga, Mahela and Kulasekera from this SL team and they are no where as good.

Htc-Android
on June 7, 2013, 1:52 GMT

I really hope, kulasekera find some form with the ball. We need those early breakthroughs from him.
My team
1.Dilshan 2.Kusal 3.Sanga 4.Chandimal 5.Mahela 6.Mathews 7. Thisara 8.kulasekera 9.Sachithra 10.Malinga 11.Eranga.
No need for Jeevan or loku. Kula and sachithra can do the same with the bat. Kula and Eranga should take the new ball and Malinga should be used in the middle and late overs. Its better if we finish Kulas 10 overs earlier on in the innings, he is not that effective in the death overs. eranga should bowl the death overs with malinga.

Sinhaya
on June 8, 2013, 5:16 GMT

@Cpt.Meanster, honestly I want all teams that is all ten test playing nations to be world beaters as that is what will make all games thrillers. I am not much of a fan of Mahela. Biggest problem with our cricket is political meddling. No shortage of talent as such. Chandimal and Kushal Perera are no doubt good on fast pitches but sadly they did not get the chance to play in the tests in Australia. It shows our think tank in cricket is pathetic.

Cpt.Meanster
on June 7, 2013, 19:34 GMT

@Sinhaya: You know what, I think I like Chandimal and Angelo Mathews too. Some of the other guys you mentioned are very talented too, no doubt. Perhaps they may go on to become as great as Mahela, Sanga and Kula. Best wishes to them and to the SL team. Besides, I am a firm believer that any team can become world beaters if they set their priorities straight.

bigbang07
on June 7, 2013, 6:47 GMT

The article focuses on Kula, but I firmly believe that the stage is set for Shaminda Eranga. Kula was outstanding in the ODI's in Australia, Malinga has been thereabouts, but Eranga needs to be first change seamer for me. Perera and Angelo can share the responsibilities of the fourth bowler, but Eranga needs to bend his back and prove his mettle. We cannot rely on restricting the opposition alone, the lads need to be at their incisive best.

Otuwa
on June 7, 2013, 6:43 GMT

@Sihina Nimnaka-Very true bro..We are the smallest country playing cricket as a test nation.And we have only 30+ test cricket history.We have achieved lot of things in this short period time.We have produced lot of mystery cricketers.We have faced lot of hard times for last 10 years.We had lost 4 world cupsand one became infront of our eyes.It's very tough to us.But we never never hate our players.We love cricket and we are with our players at everytime.

I hope English curators will make good pitches for next matches because we all know how dangerous Kula with his swinging.Good luck for our team....

GalVeddah
on June 7, 2013, 5:03 GMT

＠Cpt.Meanster: Very true. He is very hard working. Still the SL team does not stand a chance to scrape through to the semi finals. In fact the expectations are so low that we, the SL fans, will be very happy if our team win at least one match in the group stage.

asithaSL
on June 7, 2013, 4:48 GMT

Yeah..., Kule, u need to swing., swing well to give SL some hopes n u can do it..
All da best Kula n the rest of the guyz.... We have a good chance here...!!

on June 7, 2013, 3:03 GMT

This is a tuff period for small country like Sri Lanka. (maybe smallest country that playing international cricket) their fans always with them. never hate cricketers. Kula is a hard working cricketer he'll try to do his best. hope for the best....

Sinhaya
on June 7, 2013, 1:14 GMT

@Cpt.Meanster, seriously?? Kushal Perera who averages 50 in ODIs in Australia not good?? Chandimal who has an excellent average in Australia, England and SA not good?? Sachithra Senanayake who had a superb economy rate in the IPL not good?? Thisara Perera who was an asset for SRH not good?? Please buddy check a bit more before writing like that.

Cpt.Meanster
on June 6, 2013, 20:39 GMT

The one and ONLY KULA !! A small piece of glorious Sri Lankan past left in this otherwise average team. I am sure Kula will love the English conditions. A hard working cricketer. Even though I am an Indian fan, I used to enjoy Kulasekera bowl. Take away Sanga, Mahela and Kulasekera from this SL team and they are no where as good.

pull_shot
on June 6, 2013, 20:01 GMT

He really amazes me have to say this thin fellow with5 5'' height has the ability to surprise the best even he troubled tendulkar on sound and vas is best in business i still dont understand why india didnt go for vass when srilanka ignored him until this year real hard worker and gentle man

Htc-Android
on June 7, 2013, 1:52 GMT

I really hope, kulasekera find some form with the ball. We need those early breakthroughs from him.
My team
1.Dilshan 2.Kusal 3.Sanga 4.Chandimal 5.Mahela 6.Mathews 7. Thisara 8.kulasekera 9.Sachithra 10.Malinga 11.Eranga.
No need for Jeevan or loku. Kula and sachithra can do the same with the bat. Kula and Eranga should take the new ball and Malinga should be used in the middle and late overs. Its better if we finish Kulas 10 overs earlier on in the innings, he is not that effective in the death overs. eranga should bowl the death overs with malinga.

pull_shot
on June 6, 2013, 20:01 GMT

He really amazes me have to say this thin fellow with5 5'' height has the ability to surprise the best even he troubled tendulkar on sound and vas is best in business i still dont understand why india didnt go for vass when srilanka ignored him until this year real hard worker and gentle man

Cpt.Meanster
on June 6, 2013, 20:39 GMT

The one and ONLY KULA !! A small piece of glorious Sri Lankan past left in this otherwise average team. I am sure Kula will love the English conditions. A hard working cricketer. Even though I am an Indian fan, I used to enjoy Kulasekera bowl. Take away Sanga, Mahela and Kulasekera from this SL team and they are no where as good.

Sinhaya
on June 7, 2013, 1:14 GMT

@Cpt.Meanster, seriously?? Kushal Perera who averages 50 in ODIs in Australia not good?? Chandimal who has an excellent average in Australia, England and SA not good?? Sachithra Senanayake who had a superb economy rate in the IPL not good?? Thisara Perera who was an asset for SRH not good?? Please buddy check a bit more before writing like that.

on June 7, 2013, 3:03 GMT

This is a tuff period for small country like Sri Lanka. (maybe smallest country that playing international cricket) their fans always with them. never hate cricketers. Kula is a hard working cricketer he'll try to do his best. hope for the best....

asithaSL
on June 7, 2013, 4:48 GMT

Yeah..., Kule, u need to swing., swing well to give SL some hopes n u can do it..
All da best Kula n the rest of the guyz.... We have a good chance here...!!

GalVeddah
on June 7, 2013, 5:03 GMT

＠Cpt.Meanster: Very true. He is very hard working. Still the SL team does not stand a chance to scrape through to the semi finals. In fact the expectations are so low that we, the SL fans, will be very happy if our team win at least one match in the group stage.

Otuwa
on June 7, 2013, 6:43 GMT

@Sihina Nimnaka-Very true bro..We are the smallest country playing cricket as a test nation.And we have only 30+ test cricket history.We have achieved lot of things in this short period time.We have produced lot of mystery cricketers.We have faced lot of hard times for last 10 years.We had lost 4 world cupsand one became infront of our eyes.It's very tough to us.But we never never hate our players.We love cricket and we are with our players at everytime.

I hope English curators will make good pitches for next matches because we all know how dangerous Kula with his swinging.Good luck for our team....

bigbang07
on June 7, 2013, 6:47 GMT

The article focuses on Kula, but I firmly believe that the stage is set for Shaminda Eranga. Kula was outstanding in the ODI's in Australia, Malinga has been thereabouts, but Eranga needs to be first change seamer for me. Perera and Angelo can share the responsibilities of the fourth bowler, but Eranga needs to bend his back and prove his mettle. We cannot rely on restricting the opposition alone, the lads need to be at their incisive best.

Cpt.Meanster
on June 7, 2013, 19:34 GMT

@Sinhaya: You know what, I think I like Chandimal and Angelo Mathews too. Some of the other guys you mentioned are very talented too, no doubt. Perhaps they may go on to become as great as Mahela, Sanga and Kula. Best wishes to them and to the SL team. Besides, I am a firm believer that any team can become world beaters if they set their priorities straight.

Sinhaya
on June 8, 2013, 5:16 GMT

@Cpt.Meanster, honestly I want all teams that is all ten test playing nations to be world beaters as that is what will make all games thrillers. I am not much of a fan of Mahela. Biggest problem with our cricket is political meddling. No shortage of talent as such. Chandimal and Kushal Perera are no doubt good on fast pitches but sadly they did not get the chance to play in the tests in Australia. It shows our think tank in cricket is pathetic.